height Lexus GX460 2012 User Guide

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2-4. Using other driving systems
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
■When HI mode is selected
The vehicle height will change to N mode when driving at the speeds of 18 mph (30
km/h).
Even if vehicle speed is then reduced to under 18 mph (30 km/h), height will not
return to HI mode.
■When LO mode is selected
The vehicle height will change to N mode when vehicle speed exceeds 7 mph
(12 km/h).
Even if vehicle speed is then reduced to under 7 mph (12 km/h), height will not
return to LO mode.
■Automatic leveling function
Regardless of the number of occupants and the luggage load, vehicle height in any
mode is always adjusted to a fixed height by the automatic leveling function.
■The rear height control air suspension will not operate in the following cases:
●The underbody of the vehicle is touching the surface of the road.
●The area around the suspension is covered with ice.
■Even if you hear an operating noise
This does not indicate a problem in the rear height control air suspension.
■Parking and stopping tips
●If you immediately stop the engine after off-road driving, or park the vehicle for
a long time, the vehicle height may gradually lower. When parking, make sure
there is nothing under the vehicle that may come in contact with the underbody.
The vehicle will return to the set height when the engine is started.
●The vehicle height may change as the temperature changes when the engine is
stopped. The vehicle will return to the set height when the engine is started.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
■When lowering the vehicle
In order to prevent the vehicle height from rising as occupants leave the vehicle,
lowering control will occur for a short while after the engine has been stopped.
■The rear height control air suspension failure warning
●If a malfunction occurs in the rear height control air suspension, N mode is auto-
matically selected. However, the system may not switch to N mode depending
on the location of the malfunction.
●The warning message is displayed on the multi-information display, and the rear
height control air suspension cannot be activated until the malfunction is cor-
rected.
Stop the engine and start it again. If the warning message turns off, the system is
operating correctly. If the warning message continues to be displayed, have
your vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
CAUTION
■The rear height control air suspension must be turned off
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Otherwise, the automatic leveling
function may cause vehicle height to change, and you may catch part of your body
in the vehicle, resulting in an accident:
●When jacking up the vehicle, installing tire chains or tying the vehicle with chains/
wires for transportation via flat bed truck, turn off the rear height control air sus-
pension and stop the engine.
●When the vehicle must be towed or disconnecting a trailer, put the vehicle height
in N mode and turn off the rear height control air suspension.
●When the vehicle is stuck, turn off the rear height control air suspension.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
CAUTION
■Selecting the correct height mode
●HI mode should only be used when driving on rough roads, for example when
driving off-road. Because the vehicle’s center of gravity will become higher when
in the mode, the vehicle may become unstable when turning abruptly, resulting in
an accident.
●Do not select HI mode when loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier.
Because the vehicle’s center of gravity will become higher when in the mode, the
vehicle may become unstable when turning abruptly, resulting in an accident.
●Before lowering vehicle height, check that there is no one under the vehicle.
NOTICE
■Be careful in any place where overhead space is limited
The vehicle height will rise when a higher mode is selected or cargo is unloaded.
This may cause damage to the vehicle.
■Do not select LO mode when driving on bumpy roads
If the underbody of the vehicle touches a rugged road surface, the vehicle may be
damaged.
■Changing vehicle height
Do not change vehicle height frequently.
The compressor may overheat and stop operation.
■When on the extremely uneven roads with rocks
Sometimes the vehicle height is not adjusted because it is judged as uneven road
driving.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
●Pre-collision alert braking (vehicle with driver monitor system):
• The pre-collision braking off switch is not pressed.
• The system determines that the driver is not facing forward.
• Vehicle speed is greater than about 10 mph (15 km/h).
• The speed at which your vehicle is approaching the obstacle or the vehiclerunning ahead of you is greater than about 25 mph (40 km/h).
■Conditions that may trigger the system even if there is no possibility of a collision
●When there is an object by the roadside at the entrance to a curve
●When passing an oncoming vehicle on a curve
●When driving over a narrow iron bridge
●When there is a metal object on the road surface
●When driving on an uneven road surface
●When passing an oncoming vehicle on a left-turn
●When your vehicle rapidly closes on the vehicle in front
●When a grade separation/interchange, sign, billboard, or other structure
appears to be directly in the vehicle’s line of travel
●When climbing a steep hill causes an overhead billboard or other metallic struc-
ture to appear directly in the vehicle’s line of travel
●When there are excessive changes in the vehicle height (when it tilts forwards
or backwards)
●When there is an abnormality in the radar sensor
When the system is activated in the situations described above, there is also a possi-
bility that the seat belts will retract quickly and the brakes will be applied with a force
greater than normal. When the seat belt is locked in the restricted position, stop the
vehicle in a safe place, release the seat belt and refasten it.

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2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
2-5. Driving information
Off-road precautions
Off-road vehicle features● Specific design characteristics give it a higher center of gravity than
ordinary passenger cars. This vehicle design feature causes this type of
vehicle to be more likely to rollover. And, utility vehicles have a signifi-
cantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
● An advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better view of the
road allowing you to anticipate problems.
● It is not designed for cornering at the same speeds as ordinary passen-
ger cars any more than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform
satisfactorily under off-road conditions. Therefore, sharp turns at
excessive speeds may cause the vehicle to rollover.
This vehicle belongs to the utility vehicle class, which has higher ground
clearance and narrower tread in relation to the height of its center of grav-
ity to make it capable of performing in a wide variety of off-road applica-
tions.

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2-5. Driving information
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
Example based on your vehicleCargo capacity
Total load capacity
When 2 people with the combined weight of 366 lb. (166 kg) are riding
in your vehicle, the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity
will be as follows:
Vehicles without rear heig ht control air suspension
With third seats — total load capacity: 1315 lb. (595 kg)
1315 lb. - 366 lb. = 949 lb. (595 kg - 166 kg = 429 kg)
Without third seats
— total load capacity: 1525 lb. (690 kg)
1525 lb. - 366 lb. = 1159 lb. (690 kg - 166 kg = 524 kg)
Vehicles with rear height control air suspension
Total load capacity: 1280 lb. (580 kg)
1280 lb. - 366 lb. = 914 lb. (580 kg - 166 kg = 414 kg)
In this condition, if 3 more passengers with the combined weight of 388 lb.
(176 kg) get on, the available cargo and luggage load will be reduced as follows:

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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)Vehicles without rear height control air suspension
With third seats
949 lb. - 388 lb. = 561 lb. (429 kg - 176 kg = 253 kg)
Without third seats
1159 lb. - 388 lb. = 771 lb. (524 kg - 176 kg = 348 kg)
Vehicles with rear heig
ht control air suspension
914 lb. - 388 lb. = 526 lb. (414 kg - 176 kg = 238 kg)
As shown in the example above, if the number of occupants increases,
the cargo and luggage load will be reduced by an amount that equals the
increased weight due to the additional occupants. In other words, if an
increase in the number of occupants causes an excess of the total load
capacity (combined weight of occupants plus cargo and luggage load),
you must reduce the cargo and luggage on your vehicle.
CAUTION
■Things that must not be carried in the luggage compartment
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the luggage compartment:
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans

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2-5. Driving information
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
Vehicle load limits
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity, towing
capacity and cargo capacity.
■Total load capacity:
Vehicles without rear height control air suspension
With third seats — 1315 lb. (595 kg)
Without third seats — 1525 lb. (690 kg)
Vehicles with rear height control air suspension 1280 lb. (580 kg)
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
■ Seating capacity:
With third seats — 7 occupants (Front 2, Rear 5)
Without third seats — 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maximu m number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
■ Towing capacity: 6500 lb. (2948 kg)
Towing capacity means the maximum gross trailer weight (trailer
weight plus its cargo weight) that your vehicle is able to tow.
■ Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants.

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2-5. Driving information
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
Tr a i l e r To n g u e We i g h t● A recommended tongue weight varies in accordance with the types of
trailers or towing as described below.
● To ensure the recommended values shown below, the trailer must be
loaded by referring to the following instructions.
• Tongue Weight
The gross trailer weight should be distributed so that the tongue
weight is 9 % to 11 %. (Tongue weight/Gross trailer weight × 100 =
9% to 11%)
Gross trailer weight
Tongue weight
If using a weight distributing hitch when towing, return the front axle
to the same weight as before the trailer connection.
If front axle weight cannot be measured directly, measure the front
fender height above the front axle before connection. Adjust weight
distributing hitch torque until front fender is returned to the same
height as before connection.
The gross trailer weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight can be
measured with platform scales found at a highway weighing station,
building supply company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.

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2-5. Driving information
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
Connecting and disconnecting a trailer
Stop your vehicle and a trailer in line and perform the following:
● Connecting a trailer
Set the rear height control air suspension to N mode.
Turn off the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the rear height
control air suspension.
Connect the trailer.
Turn on the switch that was turned off on .
● Disconnecting a trailer
Set the rear height control air suspension to N mode.
Turn off the rear height control air suspension.
Turn off the “ENGINE START STOP” switch.
Set the supporting leg of the trailer on the ground and raise the
hitch by 4 in. (100 mm)
Turn on the “ENGINE START STOP” switch.
Turn on the rear height control air suspension.
Wait until vehicle height is stabilized.
Make sure the hitch is disconnected. If the hitch does not disconnect,
raise the hitch higher and repeat steps 2 through 7.
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